; the
quantity and quality of the children's food; the brackish, fetid water used in
its preparation; the pupils' wretched clothing and accommodations: all these
things were discovered; and the discovery produced a result mortifying to Mr.
Brocklehurst, but beneficial to the institution.
    Several wealthy and benevolent individuals in the county subscribed largely
for the erection of a more convenient building in a better situation; new
regulations were made; improvements in diet and clothing introduced; the funds
of the school were entrusted to the management of a committee. Mr. Brocklehurst,
who, from his wealth and family connections, could not be overlooked, still
retained the post of treasurer; but he was aided in the discharge of his duties
by gentlemen of rather more enlarged and sympathizing minds: his office of
inspector, too, was shared by those who knew how to combine reason with
strictness, comfort with economy, compassion with uprightness. The school, thus
improved, became in time a truly useful and noble institution. I remained an
inmate of its walls, after its regeneration, for eight years: six as pupil, and
two as teacher; and in both capacities I bear my testimony to its value and
importance.
    During these eight years my life was uniform: but not unhappy, because it
was not inactive. I had the means of an excellent education placed within my
reach; a fondness for some of my studies, and a desire to excel in all, together
with a great delight in pleasing my teachers, especially such as I loved, urged
me on: I availed myself fully of the advantages offered me. In time I rose to be
the first girl of the first class; then I was invested with the office of
teacher; which I discharged with zeal for two years: but at the end of that time
I altered.
    Miss Temple, through all changes, had thus far continued superintendent of
the seminary: to her instruction I owed the best part of my acquirements; her
friendship and society had been my continual solace; she had stood me in the
stead of mother, governess, and latterly, companion. At this period she married,
removed with her husband (a clergyman, an excellent man, almost worthy of such a
wife) to a distant county, and consequently was lost to me.
    From the day she left I was no longer the same: with her was gone every
settled feeling, every association that had made Lowood in some degree a home to
me. I had imbibed from her something of her nature and much of her habits: more
harmonious thoughts: what seemed better